The sounds and motions of Cutter II caught my attention as it moved up into Linekin Neck off the Bayville shore.
Water rushed from the wooden traps lifted onto the boat gracefully and grabbed up, placed for emptying and re-bait. Captain Craig circled the boat as the stern man slid a trap overboard. It was like watching a dance without any music.
A long time ago.
I recognized Cutter II from Monhegan visits and its unique vent pipes on the exhaust stack. Also, sometimes the boat showed up at a Southport dock close to the Mary and Liz house (Pink Cottage ladies) that became my temporary residence for a winter season in the mid-’70s.
The Sproul folks lived next to Bernice Snowdon who I visited from time to time for tea and horse racing conversation. Mrs. Snowden had liked to play the horses in a previous life.
I stop in to see Craig now and then. We don't really have much in common except for my love of good memories and great stories. Sometimes visits are rewarded with seafood captured or hauled, or trapped. As in the instance suggested by this week's photo of the captain harvesting a scallop or two. My wife collects the shells and stores them in containers all over the property meant for crushing and distribution on paths and parking areas. Sometimes she forgets them until the scent of decaying ocean bottom alerts us.
Cutter II is no longer in service but I will never forget her nice lines and graceful movement. That day on the waters of Linekin Bay she became part of our photo archives shared around the region. Even including a hard sell to "The Hutch" owner for possible distribution. Never knew if Ed would bite!
Thanks Captain Craig for adventures aplenty and stories to tell. I'll stop by again to check on shells.